Good Shepherd Day School and Pre-Kindergarten
A Provider of quality, developmentally appropriate care for children
age 6 weeks to 5 years of age
231 North Church Street Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804 Phone: (252) 442-1092 Fax: (866) 214-8307 www.goodshepherdrmt/day_school.org
Staff
Director Shawanda Jordan
Contributors Day School Staff Day School Parent Group Day School Commission
Rector Matthew Johnson
Table of Contents
Philosophy and Goals ...... page 1 Goals for Children and Parents ...... page 2 Goals for Community ...... page 2
Parental Involvement ...... page 3 Visiting the School ...... page 3 Volunteerism ...... page 3 Communication ...... page 3 Parent-Teacher Conferences ...... page 3 Parent Discipline Policy ...... page 3 Ways We May Help You ...... page 4 As Parents We Want You To ...... page 4
The Curriculum ...... page 5 Developmentally Appropriate Practices ...... page 6 Infant & Toddler Program ...... page 7 Pre-School/Pre-K Program ...... page 7
Enrollment Procedures Eligibility Requirements ...... page 10 Application for Enrollment ...... page 10 Supply Fee ...... page 10 Priorities and Waiting Lists ...... page 10
Financial Scholarship Funds ...... page 11
Withdrawal From the Program ...... page 11
Daily Operating Procedures ...... page 12
Health & Safety Health & Safety of Child ...... page 13 Accidental Injuries ...... page 14 Biting Policy ...... page 14 Emergency Evacuation Plan ...... page 15 Risk Management ...... page 15 Food & Nutrition...... page 15 Cleaning & Maintenance of School ...... page 16 Reporting of Child Abuse/Neglect...... page 16 Administration & Storage of Medicine ...... page 17 Staff Supervision Policy ...... page 17 Criminal Background Check...... page 17 Safeguarding God's Children Training ...... page 17
Additional Policies Special Events ...... page 18 Birthdays ...... page 18 Healthy Guidelines for Celebrations ...... page 18 Holidays ...... page 19 What to Bring ...... page 19 What to Wear ...... page 19 Part Time Care Policy ...... page 19 Day School Commission, Handbook Revisions and Policy Interpretations ...... page 20
WELCOME TO GOOD SHEPHERD DAY SCHOOL and PRE-KINDERGARTEN
The purpose of this handbook is to describe the goals, operation policies and procedures of Good Shepherd Day School. It also describes the roles of the staff, parent involvement and the role of the Day School Commission.
We ask parents and caregivers to familiarize themselves with the operating procedures in this handbook and any supplemental notes and newsletters sent to you. We want all families to feel a part of the center and we welcome suggestions, comments, constructive criticisms as well as financial and moral support.
The official by-laws and a copy of the Personnel Manual can be obtained from the Director’s office.
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Philosophy and Goals
The philosophy behind our curriculum is that young children learn best by being INTERACTIVE. “Learning” requires active thinking, experimenting, and participation. This stimulates children to explore to find out how things work. Through play they learn more about the world in which they live.
The Creative Curriculum provides the framework from which we plan activities, organize the environment, select toys and materials, plan the daily schedule, and converse with the children. This curriculum is designed to give your child a successful start in school.
At our center, you will see:
Only games to play. No patterns to follow. Only materials with which to create. No complicated, abstract meanings that the child cannot comprehend. Only ideas and things to talk about, relate to, compare with, match, fit into, try out, reinforce, invent, discover, and enjoy.
Yet, children are being challenged continuously by specific learning goals that have been set for them.
Our program is geared toward helping children develop habits of observation, questioning, and listening. They learn that they are free to make choices, as long as they stay within the limits of respect and consideration for other people and things. An open- ended program prepares children to use their intellectual and creative abilities in future learning tasks.
The goals of our program for Children are to:
1. Provide appropriate play experiences that contribute to the health and physical developmental needs of the children.
2. Provide opportunities to stimulate curiosity and excitement in learning.
3. Provide opportunities for meaningful play, based on the children’s individual needs, interests, abilities and handicaps that build important foundations for future reading skills, language development and communication.
4. Provide opportunities for being with other children in a setting conducive to the development of wholesome social and emotional relationships.
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The goals of our program for Parents are to:
1. Provide a nurturing and supportive environment for the child while parents pursue their own work or other interests.
2. Provide opportunities to grow in the understanding of child development, age appropriate parenting skills and behavior management through a planned parent educational program.
3. Provide opportunities to meet and interact with other parents and childcare providers who have as their common concern the interests and needs of the preschool child.
4. Develop parents as good advocates for the educational needs of their child and the children of our community.
The goals of our program for the Community are to: 1. Help meet the needs for high quality early childcare in the community.
2. Contribute to the wholesome growth and development of our future citizens.
3. Provide a setting where people of various religious, cultural, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds can work and play together.
4. Partner with other agencies and centers to be an advocate for children and families on both the local and state level.
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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Visiting the School Parents, grandparents, and immediate family members are always welcome and encouraged to visit and participate at anytime while the school is operating. However, it is always important for staff to know who is in the building. Parents/Visitors must sign in prior to visiting classrooms.
Volunteerism Parents of children enrolled in the School are required to give at least one hour of volunteer time each month to ensure the smooth operation of the school. Options include committee work, serving on the Commission, transporting on field trips, or participating in scheduled parent workdays, etc. (See Appendix for a list of options).
Quarterly reports of volunteerism are kept to ensure that all parents participate. All parents are required to assist with major fundraising projects since these projects directly benefit the children and the school. Failure to participate in the volunteer system will jeopardize enrollment status of your child.
Communication Parents are requested to check your child’s cubby at the end of each day. Communication is passed along via the cubby. You are also encouraged to read the parent board daily, read your monthly newsletters and emails (if available). If e-mail is not available, a copy will be placed in your child's cubby.
Lengthy conversations with teachers while on duty is discouraged.
Parents will be informed about events, activities and other pertinent information through the newsletter. Considerable effort goes into preparing this communication tool so all parents can be informed and prepared. Newsletters and other vital information are primarily sent through e-mail. If you do not have an e-mail address a paper copy will be provided.
Parent/Teacher Conferences Each September, the School sponsors an Open House/Parent Orientation for parents and interested family members to talk with the staff. This provides an opportunity for parents to spend some time getting to know the staff as well to review and discuss any questions relating to the operational policies and procedures. During the year a minimum of two Parent/Teacher conferences will be held. Parent/Teacher conferences are designed to insure the full integration of parent, child, and teacher is met. Goals and objectives are discussed for the child, how they will be met at school, and how parents can support these objectives at home.
Parent Discipline Policy The Day School recommends the following procedure for parents to resolve problems which may occur in the Day School.
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STEP 1. The Parent should first discuss the problem with the Director. In most cases, the problem can be resolved at this level since the Director is usually aware of the situation or can become familiar with the issue in short order. If the problem is not resolved to the parents’ satisfaction, he/she has three days after receipt of the Director’s decision to proceed to STEP 2.
STEP 2. The parent must contact the Convener of the Day School Commission within three work days as described in STEP 1. The chair of the Day School Commission will arrange for the Executive Committee to hear the problem or complaint. A recommendation will be made to the Day School Commission. The decision of the Day School Commission will be final and binding.
A parent should not approach another parent or child about any problems that may have occurred in the Day School. The parents should follow the STEPS above to resolve any conflict or escalated concern he or she might have.
Taking inappropriate actions can lead to dismissal from the Day School without prior notice.
Ways in Which We May Be of Help to You When you enroll your child in our program, we assume the responsibility of giving you assistance with special needs in relation to your child’s adjustment, growth, and development.
1. Conferences in relation to your child’s progress are arranged twice yearly.
2. Assessments are administered for developmental profile purposes. Your child may be referred for special services pending the outcome of the assessment.
3. Your child will be given maximum consideration as an individual. We will care for your in a healthy and safe manner while he or she is at the School and present a planned program geared towards what we believe to be developmentally sound and educational.
As Parents We Want You...
To know, to understand, and to discuss our goals with us. To look into our busy, happy, noisy, classrooms and see your child at play often. To realize the validity of that play and the importance of what is being learned. To recognize the importance of parents and staff working together to enable your child to reach his/her full potential not only while here at Good Shepherd Day School but throughout his/her school years.
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The Curriculum
The Good Shepherd Day School uses the Creative Curriculum by Diane Dodge. The curriculum, like our program is based on accepted theories of child development. The theory and research behind the Creative Curriculum is based on how children learn and develop. In the past 75 years, research has provided a great deal of information about childhood as a separate and distinct stage of life with its own characteristics. The application of this body of knowledge to teaching is called developmentally appropriate .
Put simply, developmentally appropriate practice means teaching in ways that match the way children develop & learn. Developmentally appropriate practice provides children with opportunities to learn and practice newly acquired skills. It offers challenges just beyond the level of their present mastery and it takes place “in the context of a community where children are safe and valued, where their physical needs are met, and where they feel psychologically secure.”
Our curriculum employs the following widely held expectations:
A program that is individualized to meet the needs of every child. Each family’s culture is respected and family members are encouraged to participate in the program. The physical environment is safe, healthy, and contains a variety of toys and materials that are both stimulating and familiar. Children select activities and materials that interest them, and they learn by being actively involved. Adults show respect for children and interact with them in caring ways. Staff and providers have specialized training in child development and appropriate programming.
Our teachers “facilitate” the learning process for children in our care by offering children opportunities to:
Make choices Promote creative expression Explore the environment Get messy during play Work independently
Our teachers value children’s ideas, promote problem solving and appropriate risk taking.
Our core belief behind all these findings in the Creative Curriculum is that all children can learn and benefit from developmentally appropriate practice.
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Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers
How a child develops results from a combination of factors, such as the characteristics they are born with, the culture they live in, and their experiences within their family and in other settings such as preschool. The way each child’s development unfolds will vary greatly.
Even though each child is unique, development typically unfolds in progressive and predictable steps or stages. What varies tremendously from one child to another is when and how children achieve various developmental milestones. The differences are associated with individual temperament, learning characteristics, gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, family culture, and genetic make-up.
Children need hands-on-learning experiences to develop the skills and knowledge needed for “school learning”. They learn by doing, and they need time to practice what they are learning, to ask questions, to investigate, and to use what they are learning in their everyday activities. An appropriate environment for young children is relaxed and playful.
A formal school setting with pupils sitting rigidly and silently following teacher instructions or listening to lectures, is not an example of an optimum early environment. The rote memorization typical in lessons with workbooks, flash cards, and ditto sheets is indeed something many young children can master if coerced, pressured, and bribed. The abstract concepts this represents, however, is totally unrelated to young children’s level of brain development, and therefore, rather meaningless for them. Even a very young child can memorize and repeat chants and rhymes with long words, but he is unlikely to have a clue as to their meaning. If too much time is spent in a questionable venture such as rote memorization, the loss of time for more wholesome experiences can interfere with the really essential business of early childhood; that is healthy development of the whole child, socially, emotionally, and physically.
The foundation of early learning is exploring, practicing, constructing, pretending, and problem-solving. Experience truly is the best teacher for young children. If a child’s early environment does not fully support these experiences, it will be impossible for the child to reach his fullest potential.
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The Infant and Toddler Program
The Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers outlines what children learn during the first three years of life, the experiences through which children achieve these learning goals, and what staff and parents can do to help children reach these goals.
Our focus during these critical years is to help children: Learn about themselves Learn about their feelings Learn about others Learn about communicating with others Learn about moving and doing Learn and further develop their thinking skills
Our daily routines for infants and toddlers include: Hellos and Good-byes Diapering and Toileting Eating and Meal time Sleeping and Nap time Getting Dressed
Our daily activities include but are not limited to: Playing with Toys Dabbling in Art Imitating and Pretending Enjoying Stories and Books Tasting and Preparing Food Exploring Sand and Water Having Fun with Music and Movement Going Outdoors
We are consistently: Guiding behavior Developing good health and safety practices
The Pre-School/Pre-K Program
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool age children provides the frame-work that allows us to focus on different areas of development. Goals for each area of development allow us to apply developmentally appropriate practice in our everyday interactions with the children. The Curriculum highlights each subject area and shows how to implement it in ways that support children’s academic progress while respecting the way children grow and develop.
Below is a brief description of the four areas of development. The purpose of the description is to give you an idea that will help you understand particular areas and, at the same time keep the whole child and the interplay of development in mind.
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Social/Emotional Development Social/emotional development during the preschool years is about socialization- the process by which children learn the values and behaviors accepted by society. It is also about becoming a competent and confident person. Social and emotional competence is essential to children’s well-being and success, in school and in life. Social /emotional readiness is critical to a successful kindergarten transition, early school success, and even later accomplishments in the workplace.
The following goals are widely held expectations for social/emotional development:
A. Achieving a sense of Self-Knowing - self-knowledge of one’s self and relating to other people, children and adults.
B. Taking responsibility for self and others - Following rules and routines, respecting others, and taking initiative.
C. Behaving in a pro-social way - showing empathy and getting along in the world, for example, by sharing and taking turns.
A child who is socially/emotionally ready for school is:
Confident, friendly, able to develop good relationships with peers. Able to concentrate on and persist at challenging tasks. Able to communicate frustrations, anger, and joy effectively. Able to listen to and follow simple instructions.
Note: Social and emotional readiness can be taught and nurtured most effectively when children are young. Preschool is a prime setting for gaining social and emotional competence.
Physical Development Physical development includes children’s gross (large muscles and fine (small muscle) motor skills. Physical development is just as important to learning as every other area of development. The following goals are widely held expectations for physical development:
A. Achieving gross motor control - Moving large muscles in the body, especially the arms and legs consciously and deliberately. Gross motor control includes movements such as running, jumping, hopping, galloping, and skipping.
B. Achieving fine motor control - using and coordinating the small muscles in the hands and wrists with dexterity. As muscles develop, children are able to perform self- help skills and manipulate small objects such as scissors and writing tools.
* The achievement of fine motor skills generally lags behind gross motor development.
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Cognitive Development Cognitive development refers to the mind and how it works. It involves how children think, how they see their work, and how they use what they learn. The following goals are widely held expectations for cognitive development:
A. Learning and Problem Solving - Being purposeful about acquiring and using information, resources, and materials. As children observe events around them, ask questions, make predictions, and test possible solutions, learning reaches beyond acquiring facts.
B. Thinking Logically - Gathering and making sense of the information by comparing, contrasting, sorting, classifying, counting, measuring, and recognizing patterns. As children use logical thinking, they organize their world and gain a better understanding of how it works.
C. Representing and Thinking Symbolically - Using objects in a unique way, ie, a cup to represent a telephone, or a broom to represent a horse. Representations and symbols free children from the world of literal meanings and allow them to use materials and their imagination to explore abstract ideas.
Language Development Language development includes understanding and communicating through words, spoken and written. Language is the principal tool for establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and other children. The richer the child’s vocabulary, the more likely the child will become a good reader. Language and literacy skills go hand in hand. The following goals are widely held expectations for language development:
A. Listening and Speaking - Using spoken language to communicate with others. Enlarging one’s vocabulary, expressing one’s self, understanding the oral speech of others, participating in a conversation, and using language to solve problems.
B. Reading and Writing - Making sense of written language, understanding the purpose of print, and how it works, gaining knowledge of the alphabet, writing letters and words.
* Writing things down expands memory, communication, and understanding.
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Enrollment Procedures
A. Eligibility Requirements Applications are accepted for children from six weeks to five years of age or until children are to attend Kindergarten. Applications are also accepted for children prior to the expected date of the child’s birth. Parents are responsible for notifying the school of the birth of their child and the approximate date they wish enrollment to begin.
B. Application for Enrollment A completed application form must be submitted with the non-refundable application fee of $55.00 for each child before the child can be accepted for enrollment. We urge you to visit us and observe our child care groups in session prior to enrollment. Plan to bring your child with you when you visit. We are open to visitors daily; however, we limit the number of persons who visit on any one day since the number of children enrolled in our center is limited by the provisions of our state license.
Once all forms are completed and submitted, Parents and the Day School Director will determine the actual date your child will begin attending the School.
(Tuition is due on enrollment date whether or not the child actually begins attendance on that date.)
C. Supply Fee One child $75.00 annually Two or more children $125.00 annually
A non-refundable supply fee is due upon enrollment. Thereafter, the supply fee will be drafted the 1 st of January each year as long as your child is enrolled in the school. If enrollment is other than the month of January, the prorated amount will be determined at the time of enrollment. This fee will cover the costs associated with providing educational materials, various equipment, field trips, and other needed enhancements to the program. Note : Our school year runs from January to December.
D. Priorities and Waiting List Policy The following priority classification will be used in admitting children to the School as space becomes available.
1) Active parishioners of the Church of the Good Shepherd (note : Active parishioner will be defined according to the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Parishioners will be given priority over non-parishioners but not over active parishioners. ) 2) Siblings of children currently enrolled in the Day School 3) Children of employees of the Day School 4) Date completed application is received in Day School office
When a space becomes available for a child on the waiting list, the option to enroll must be exercised within 24 hours after the notice is given. If the space is accepted, a check for the supply fee (pro-rated) and the remainder of the monthly fee for that month is due
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within 24 hours of the time of acceptance. If a parent passes on the offer of a space, the child will be placed on the bottom of the waiting list and the space will be offered to the next child on the list.
Failure to respond within a specified time frame will result in automatic removal of the child from the waiting list.
Financial
A. Scholarship Funds Limited scholarship aid is available for families “in crisis” who meet the criteria. Aid is granted based on need and availability of funds. Applications must be made through the Day School Director.
B. Financial Arrangements Tuition is paid in advance. The center depends on each month’s tuition to pay its current expenses. All fees are due prior to the month of attendance. If payment arrangements are needed, these arrangements must be made with the Day School Director or designee.
Tuition payments are by automatic draft on the1 st day of each month or ½ of the monthly fee on the 1 st and the second half on the 15 th of the month.
If a draft is returned for insufficient funds a fee of $25.00 will be assessed. If a draft is returned for insufficient funds more than twice in one year, this may be cause for dismissal from the program and/or may require payment by money order. Before a child may re-enter the program, all past due tuition plus a new registration fee of $55.00 must be paid.
Withdrawal from the Program
Each child is enrolled for the entire year. Thirty Days prior written notice is required for withdrawal. Failure to provide a thirty day prior written notice will result in tuition being due and payable as usual. If your child leaves the Day School with a past due account, you will be held responsible for the debt. You will have two months to settle the account. If the account is still past due after this time, the account will be referred to Small Claims Court.
Parents of children in the preschool room (the second to the last room in the program) must provide notice by June 1 of their intentions to remain in the program for the following September through May. If you intend to withdraw your child in September you have a space until August 31 if you desire, but a thirty day written notification is still due on August 1. If the school is notified in June of your intention to continue in the program in the following September through May but you end up withdrawing from the program before October, a $150 fee is due and payable to the school.
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Daily Operating Procedures
A. Hours and Days of Operation GSDS is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The School operates on a 12 month basis. The School closes for the following holidays:
New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Holiday Thanksgiving Day and the Friday After Good Friday Christmas Eve Memorial Day Christmas Day July 4
In addition, the School closes for two staff development days. One day will be in February and the second day will be in September. (Actual dates will be announced) Please make other arrangements for your child during this time. We are aware these additional days add an extra burden on parents to secure other childcare but feel the health, safety, and educational training our staff receives as a team is critical to the overall quality of our program.
There is no deduction in tuition for holidays or staff development days. As stated previously, our calendar year runs from January 1 to December 31 of each year. A copy of the current year’s calendar is posted on the bulletin board in each classroom.
B. Daily Arrival to GSDS Children must be brought into the classroom and signed in by the accompanying adult each morning. Parents are invited to stay as long as they wish and are encouraged to read a story or participate in an activity with the child upon arrival. This is not required and it is understood that on some occasions, the parent may need to leave as quickly as possible. However, the parent must never leave so quickly that (s)he fails to let the teacher know the child has arrived.
Parents are encouraged to model behaviors for their children by greeting the teacher and other children when they arrive. Special instructions may be given at this time. Instructions for medications must be in writing on the appropriate form. Instructions for a special diet must be in writing from a doctor.
C. Pick Up Only the parents, legal guardian, or a designated alternate may pick up a child from the school. If a designated alternate is to pick up the child, the parent/guardian should advise the director and teacher as soon as possible and/or write a note on the sign in sheet indicating permission for the pick up. The designated alternate must show a valid photo identification before the child will be released. The designated alternate must sign the child out prior to leaving the premises. Note: It is legal for either parent or guardian to pick up a child unless we have a copy of a court order restricting visitation.
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The School doors are locked at 5:30 p.m. All children must be picked up by 5:30 p.m . If you know you are going to be detained, please notify the center immediately so that we can reassure your child. There is an overtime charge, but we are flexible. If saving ten minutes means risking an accident, please drive safely-and plan differently next time. The late charge is $10.00 for each ten minute segment or portion thereof. You will be asked to sign a late charge slip and then billed for the late fee the following Monday. Because the center has no provision for care after 5:30 p.m. consistent lateness after that hour may be cause for dismissal from the program.
D. Inclement Weather Policy Before making a decision to close the school or delay opening, all of the following factors will be considered:
1. The immediate and long-range weather forecast for the Rocky Mount area. 2. Road conditions which may impact the safety of children, parents, and staff. 3. Staff/child ratios.
Announcements of any weather related closings or delays will be sent via e-mail, and posted on the Church's website (http://www.goodshepherdrmt.org). A message will also be left on Director’s voicemail indicating what decision has been made. To access the voicemail, call the phone line, wait for the prompt and dial ext 227 or 228. Should conditions require early closure, parents will be contacted to pick up their child(ren). Parents should also call to confirm possible changes in the school’s operating hours.
Any decision to change normal operating hours will be made by the Director or Assistant Director in consultation with members of the Commission. The safety and well being of both children and staff will form the basis for these decisions. Tuition will not be deducted for inclement weather, should the school have to close.
Health and Safety
A. The Health and Safety of Your Child Your child’s health is a matter of major importance to all of us. Upon enrollment, you must file a health form signed by a physician within 30 days. We also require that the child have certain standard immunizations. A daily health inspection is given upon each child’s arrival at the center. The person bringing the child must wait until the inspection is over before leaving the premises. Sick policy is a difficult issue since the sick child’s needs conflict with the parent’s need to work. You may be tempted to bring your sick child to school, but this is inconsiderate of the sick child, the child’s classmates, and teacher. The sick child’s needs must predominate. If any symptoms of illness appear during the day, your child will be immediately isolated from the others and you will be contacted. Your child may be sent home.
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Keep your child home if he or she...
Has a fever or has had one during the previous 24-hour period. A 24-hour period is defined as one full day. Has heavy nasal discharge Has a constant cough Is fussy, cranky, and generally out of sorts Has symptoms of a possible communicable disease. ( These are usually sniffles, reddened eyes, sore throat, headache, and abdominal pain, plus a fever.) Please notify the center at once if the child has a communicable disease Head lice - until all nits and eggs are gone Strep throat - two full days Ringworm - one full day Vomiting - must be kept home one full day Diarrhea - characterized by the number of loose stools; generally three or more in one hour. Must be kept home one full day or until contagious period is over. Pink eye -characterized by reddened eyes with discharge that returns when wiped; must be kept home one full day.
B. Accidental Injury In case of accidental injury, we will make an immediate attempt to contact a parent. If we cannot reach you, we will call your child’s physician. If necessary, we will also call an ambulance. Until the arrival of a parent or parent designee, the physician, or an ambulance, the Director or Assistant Director will be in charge and make all decisions about the care of the child. You will be expected to assume responsibility for any resultant expense not covered by our insurance. The center will maintain a parent’s signed consent form agreeing to this provision. It is in your child’s interest that you keep the center up-to-date with your current phone numbers, emergency numbers, and other pertinent information.
C. Biting Policy Our program recognizes that biting can occur when toddlers are in group care. Though biting is never the right thing for toddlers to do, we know that this behavior occurs for a variety of reasons. Most of these reasons are NOT related to “behavior” problems. Because of this, our program does not focus on punishments for biting, but on effective techniques that address the specific reason for the biting. Our policy is threefold:
1. Care for the child who was bitten. 2. Provide redirection to the child who did the biting. 3. Fill out an Incident Report form
1. We give immediate attention and, if necessary, first aid to the child who is bitten. Ice is put on the bite if the child is willing. If the skin is broken, we clean the wound with soap and water and we recommend that the child be seen by their health care provider unless the parents choose differently.
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2. Our teachers express strong disapproval of biting. They work to keep children safe and to help the child who bites learn different, more appropriate behavior. When there are episodes of ongoing biting, we develop a plan of specific strategies, techniques, and timelines to address it. We do not and will not use any response that harms a child or is known to be ineffective.
3. A biting incident is documented on our standard incident report form. The form is completed and signed by the teacher and Director and a copy is placed in the Incident Report File in the office.
When children bite, their parents are informed personally and privately the same day as well as and given a copy of our incident form. As stated above, when we experience ongoing biting in a toddler room, we develop a written plan with strategies, techniques, and timelines to work on the problem. This written plan is shared with all parents in the room. However, we keep the name of the child who is biting confidential to avoid labeling.
Once a year, toddler care givers attend a training session on biting. In addition, we have current resources on biting available for staff and parents. We encourage parents to bring their concerns and frustration directly to the Director.
D. Emergency Evacuation Plan An evacuation plan designating the escape routes for each room is posted by the inner doors of each room. Teachers and staff are instructed in the proper routes and methods for evacuating children. Unannounced drills are held monthly.
E. Risk Management The purpose of risk management procedures is to ensure that both children and adults are protected from harm. The following strategies are employed:
All cleaning supplies and toxic substances are stored in locked cabinets and/or closets. There are neither areas in the school nor any activities that the school participates in which are not open to parents. Prior notice for visiting is not required. However, visitors to the school who are not parents of children enrolled at the school are required to have permission from the Director to observe or visit any area of the school. Panic doors are installed throughout the facility for maximum security. Parents are encouraged to recognize that professional staff who work in child care settings need the support and trust appropriate to their professional role.
F. Food and Nutrition The school provides breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to all children except very young infants.
The School recognizes the importance of providing healthy nutritious meals/snacks as a way to teach children how to eat healthy early in their lives to maintain a healthy
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weight/BMI growth levels. Meals and snacks will be served family style and good eating habits and social conversation are encouraged. Careful attention is given to added salt, fats, and sugar in order to promote healthful eating. Parents are discouraged from bringing breakfast and other snack foods for individual consumption unless the food is for a special occasion. Foods that are brought in for birthdays, holidays, etc., must be store bought and pre-packaged. The Department of Environmental Health requires the School to make such requests due to the risk for food borne illnesses.
Food selection and portions meet the USDA guidelines for young children, and are planned in advance on a weekly basis. A copy of the menu is posted in each classroom and on the parent board. Although we try to avoid menu changes there are times when a change is necessary. Any changes that are made are recorded on the menu posted on the parent board.
We are proud of our food program and encourage you to share lunch with your child’s class during the school year. You are asked to sign up by Thursday morning one week in advance of the date you plan to eat lunch. Please make the request to your child’s teacher. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is served between 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. Afternoon snacks are served between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m.
Note Concerning Infants: parents will provide food and beverages for infants. Children 15 months and younger must have a feeding chart on file in the room that is updated monthly by parents.
SECTION .0900 - NUTRITION STANDARDS 10A NCAC 09 .0901 GENERAL NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS
(a) Meals and snacks served to children in a child care center shall comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which are based on the recommended nutrient intake judged by the National Research Council to be adequate for maintaining good nutrition. The types of food, number and size of servings shall be appropriate for the ages and developmental levels of the children in care. The Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs are incorporated by reference and include subsequent amendments. A copy of the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs is available free of charge from the Division at the address in Rule .0102(1) of this Chapter.
(b) Menus for nutritious meals and snacks shall be planned at least one week in advance. At least one dated copy of the current week's menu shall be posted where it can be seen easily by parents and food preparation staff when food is prepared or provided by the center, except in centers with a licensed capacity of 3 to 12 children located in a residence. A variety of food shall be included in meals and snacks. Any substitution shall be of comparable food value and shall be recorded on the menu
(c) When children bring their own food for meals or snacks to the center, if the food does not meet the nutritional requirements specified in Paragraph (a) of this Rule, the center must provide additional food necessary to meet those requirements unless the child’s parent or guardian opts out of the supplemental food provided by the center as set forth in G.S.110-
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91(2)h.1. A statement acknowledging the parental decision to opt out of the supplemental food provided by the center signed by the child’s parent or guardian shall be kept on file at the center. Opting out means that the center will not provide any food or drink so long as the child’s parent or guardian provides all meals, snacks, and drinks scheduled to be served at the center’s designated times. If the child’s parent or guardian has opted out but does not provide all food and drink for the child, the center shall provide supplemental food and drink as if the child’s parent or guardian had not opted out of the supplemental food program.
(d) Drinking water must be freely available to children of all ages. Drinking fountains or individual drinking utensils shall be provided. When a private water supply is used, it must be tested by and meet the requirements of the Commission for Public Health.
• The child care provider will provide only the following beverages: o breast milk; o formula; o water; o unflavored whole milk, for children ages 12-24 months; o unflavored skim or lowfat milk for children two years old and older; or o 100 percent fruit juice, limited to 6 ounces per day.
• Children's special diets or food allergies shall be posted in the food preparation area and in the child's eating area.
• The food required by special diets for medical, religious or cultural reasons, may be provided by the center or may be brought to the center by the parents. If the diet is prescribed by a health care professional, a statement signed by the health care professional shall be on file at the center and written instructions shall be provided by the child's parent, health care professional, or a licensed dietitian/nutritionist. If the diet is not prescribed by a health care professional, written instructions shall be provided by the child's parent and shall be on file at the center.
• Food that does not meet the nutritional requirements specified in Paragraph (a) of this Rule, such as cookies, chips, donuts, etc., shall be available only for special occasions such as holidays, birthdays.
http://nrckids.org/default/assets/File/StateRegs/NC/May2013DCDEERulebook.pdf
G. Cleaning and Maintaining the School Cleaning of the School will be the staff’s responsibility and will be maintained as follows:
Classroom teachers are responsible for maintaining a neat and organized room each day. Equipment in room is disinfected as needed for infants and toddlers, but at least weekly for preschool classrooms. The custodian is responsible for cleanliness of the facility to include but not limited to sweeping, mopping, emptying trash cans, sanitizing and cleaning bathrooms daily.
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The cook is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing all kitchen equipment each day. The Assistant Director or Director inspects the playground daily to ensure all play equipment and grounds are safe. The Assistant Director or Director conducts daily, weekly, and monthly inspections to ensure that the facility and grounds are properly maintained.
H. Reporting Child Abuse/Neglect In compliance with the Division of Child Development regarding child abuse and neglect, cases of suspected child abuse and/ or neglect will be reported to the Protective Services Unit of the Department of Social Services. This law does not require parents be notified prior to a report being filed.
I. Administration and Storage of Medicine Any medicine, whether prescription or over the counter, must be delivered to the teacher and picked up daily from the teacher. Sunscreen lotions and diaper creams must also be delivered to the teacher. Parents must complete the Medication form and give it to the teacher. Medications, sunscreens, and diaper creams cannot be administered without written consent. The medication must be in its original container with the child’s name and directions for use clearly marked. Parents are responsible for providing dosing cups or spoons to ensure accuracy. Parents are asked to arrange times of multiple doses in such a way that medicine is not administered during the first two hours of arrival or the last two hours before departure.
All medications are locked in a stored container which is inaccessible to the children. Medicine requiring refrigeration will be kept in the kitchen or room refrigerator in a locked container. Teachers administering medicine will record the date, time, and dose on the form. Diaper rash ointment, insect repellent, and sunscreen forms must be filled out monthly. Expired ointments, repellents, and creams will be destroyed according to State Regulations. Medications must be taken home daily. Medications that will inhibit the child’s normal activity will not be allowed to be administered. Fever reducing medications will not be administered.
J. Staff Supervision Policy Caregivers will account for all children as groups are moved from one location to another. Children should be counted at every transition when leaving one area and arriving at another to confirm the safe whereabouts of every child. Caregivers that relieve other caregivers for breaks, lunches, etc., will be responsible for counting/accounting for all children for which they are responsible.
Staff will also visibly assess the environment and monitor the child's activities, looking for opportunities to improve all situations.
K. Criminal Background Check Criminal Record Background Checks are conducted on all persons who provide child care in a licensed child care facility to include owners of the facilities, staff members,
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administrators, teachers, teacher's assistant, substitute teachers, cooks, and others who may come in contact with the children on a regular basis. Additionally, background checks are conducted on all employees of the church.
L. Safeguarding God's Children Training All employees of the Good Shepherd Day School (and Church) are required to take part in a child abuse awareness, detection and prevention program developed and sponsored by the Episcopal Church Pension Group called "Safeguarding God's Children." This program is led by trainers from the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and each employee must renew his or her training every five years. Certificates verifying each employees' participation and compliance with this training and are on file with the Director of the Day School. Additional Policies
A. Special Events Age-appropriate field trips are an important part of the activities and experiences for children at the school. Parents who do not want their child to go on a particular field trip must notify the Director in advance so that every effort can be made to arrange alternate care at the school on that day. Ratios for field trips shall be consistent with the staff/child ratio in the classroom for the child’s age.
B. Birthdays Parents are welcome to provide birthday celebrations for their child. However, due to the risk for food borne illness, we request that all birthday items be store bought or pre- packaged . Homemade items must not be brought to the school for consumption. Balloons are a choking hazard for young children and are not permitted in the school. Gifts will not be exchanged at the school . If you are planning a celebration outside of school, you may distribute invitations at school if you are inviting all the children in the class.
C. Healthy Guidelines for Celebrations In an effort to provide the best possible nutrition and physical activity environment for the children in our facility, we have adopted the following policy. The administration and staff appreciate support from the parents in promoting the health of our children.
Please help us encourage lifelong healthy habits among our children. We encourage parents to join us for their child’s birthday or other special occasion and bring food to help celebrate. Please select or prepare healthier food options that your child will enjoy. Suggestions include:
• Favorite fruits • Fruit salad • Cheese cubes • Flavored fizzy water • Add lemon, lime, or oranges to pitcher of water • Use fancy straws for drinking • 100% juice drinks
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• Lower fat baked goods (ex. mini muffins with icing) • Low fat, low calorie favorite dishes that are not necessarily desserts • Food with special family or cultural significance • Healthy foods in fun shapes
Also, consider celebrating with favorite stories, music, games, or activities. One of the most important things to your child is that you took the time to help plan something special.
D. Observance of Holidays Every effort is made to provide a learning environment that is culturally diverse. Since children’s understanding of holidays is limited, care is taken to avoid a holiday-driven curriculum.
E. What To Bring We request that you leave your child’s toys at home or in your car. If an item is brought to the center, we cannot be responsible for it. If you have a book that may be of interest to all the children, we appreciate this being shared with the group, but we ask that it be left for several days. We also appreciate occasional special music for curriculum enrichment. Money, candy, gum, jewelry, war toys, guns, etc. must be left at home . Note: Items to bring for your child such as clothing, bibs, crib sheets, etc. is included in your classroom guidelines. Teachers distribute guidelines upon enrollment.
F. What to Wear Your child should be dressed in clothing that is comfortable and sturdy. Children are actively involved in a planned program of play. Keep in mind they are exposed to paints, play dough, sand, and other items that can be messy. Therefore, we recommend selecting clothes that can withstand all of these items.
Extra clothing should be placed in a zip lock bag, and put in the child’s cubby. Also, we recommend children wear comfortable sneakers to school so they can enjoy indoor and outdoor play . We do not allow children to wear sandals of any kind, flip-flops, clogs, crocks or any shoes that have the toes or heels exposed. These increase the risk for injury .
Part Time Care Policy
We offer limited part time spaces for parents in need of part time care. Part time care is defined as care that needs to be provided for a child only part of the day, which in some cases may be morning or afternoons.
A. Times Available
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Part time at Good Shepherd Day School is a full half day and is available either in the morning or in the afternoon at the following times:
• 7:00-12:00 Mon-Fri which includes breakfast and lunch. or • 12:30-5:30 Mon-Fri which includes rest time and a pm snack
We understand that there may be times when emergencies arrive and there may be the need for a child to stay for a full day. Parents may request their child to stay a full day if space is available. Emergency extensions are allowed only five times in one month. After five emergency extensions in any one month your child will be moved to full-time care. If your child is normally in an afternoon time slot and you need an extension for the morning, the extra fee will be $20.00. If you need the extension for the afternoon time the extra fee will be $15.00.
Space may not be available at time of request.
B. Fees
Morning Slot: $350.00 per child (includes breakfast and lunch) Afternoon Slot $300.00 per child (includes afternoon snack) Registration Fee $55 per child upon enrollment Activity Fee $ 37.50 per child upon enrollment Extra Stay Fee(Morning) $20.00 Extra Stay Fee (Afternoon) $15.00
Tuition payments (full amount) are by automatic draft on the 1st of each month or 1/2 of the monthly fee on the 1st of the month and the second half on the 15th of the month.
All extended stay fees are due the following day with a check or money order and should be deposited in our Tuition and Suggestion box located on the Director's door.
C. Moving Up To The Next Age Class
If your child ages out of a class and needs to be moved up to the next aged class, we cannot guarantee that a part time space will be available in the next class.
A full time child will have first priority when moving a child to the next age group.
Day School Commission, Handbook Revisions and Policy Interpretations
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The GSDS Commission carefully considers the needs of the children enrolled in the school, their parents, and the school staff in formulating and interpreting the policies found in this handbook. The Commission is sensitive to family emergencies and will carefully consider any written requests for exceptions to a policy. This handbook and these policies are updated annually.
The Day School commission and staff hope that your child’s experience in our school will be enriching and wonderful. We are confident that you will be pleased with the opportunity to participate with your child in this most important time in your lives as your child begins his/her life long journey of learning.
Please know that we look forward to hearing your ideas, suggestions and welcome your participation. We believe that you are the most important teacher of your child and the most critical ingredient in helping us provide a successful well-rounded early education program for your child.
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